Peacock bass fish are a species of the bass fish. The largest member of the peacock bass family is the speckled peacock bass, the smallest is the royal peacock bass. The largest can grow up to three feet four inches. The smallest can grow up to one foot ten inches. They have three vertical stripes and a spotted tail. The stripes fade with age. The spot on their tail is how they got their name since it resembles the feathers on a peacock. The male as it ages gets a hump on the forehead.
Several sportsmen really enjoy peacock bass fishing. They are considered a bully of freshwater since they are so vicious with the fishing tackle. They tend to destroy the lures, hence the reputation of being the bully. They are like the largemouth bass with their tendencies to fight when caught on the fishing lures. Even though they are similar to the largemouth, they do not generally strike artificial worms used as bait as the large mouth will bite on. Some fisherman have began using fly fishing techniques including the fly fishing lures such as poppers and large streamer to catch the peacock bass.
Many naturalist consider the peacock bass to be a pest of the freshwater since they feel the bass causes negative issues with the ecological balances in the water where they live. The peacock bass prey on the Oscar and other fish in the areas where they live. As with the natural cycle of any fish, the peacock bass will eat other fish to survive.
The state of Florida has introduces the peacock bass to the southern parts of their state. The fish is not able to survive in the cooler waters so it has found the perfect home in the warmer waters of Florida. Several counties in Florida have cooler water so the peacock bass will survive outside Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Broward counties.
The peacock bass is considered a good tasting fish to eat. They have white meat and are sweet. To cook the meat of the fish, use little oil to fry them. As with other fish, slightly brown the outer layers when frying them. They do not have a lot of bone so cleaning them is easy. Many fisherman who enjoy eating snapper and grouper compare the peacock bass the them in comparison to taste.
The fish has become so popular that travel agencies arrange for fishing trips specially designed for the sport fishermen wanting the challenge of catching the bully of the freshwater and conquering their fighting will. Many fishermen due to the fight they provide while being caught favor Peacock bass. They find the thrive of catching the bass is exhilarating and fulfilling. For this fact alone, fishing for the peacock bass has become a must for every sport fishermen all over the areas who have ever heard anything about the peacock bass.
Most professional fishermen recommend the “catch and release” of the peacock bass to help protect the numbers of the fish. The Florida Wildlife and Game Commission strictly enforce the catch limits on the peacock bass.